Profitability Analysis of Areca Nut Orchard in Meghalaya

Areca nut is a major plantation crop in the state of Meghalaya. Areca nut assumes religious, cultural and economic significance in the ethnic community of the state. The study was conducted in four villages of two blocks of East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya by taking two villages from each selected block. Total sample of 60 numbers of areca nut growers comprising of small (40 numbers), medium (17 numbers) and large (3 numbers) category were selected for the study. Economic analysis revealed that areca nut cultivation is economically feasible and viable in the study area. The BC ratio was estimated at 1.34 for small, 1.32 for medium and 1.35 for the large category with an average ratio of 1.33. The areca nut cultivation in the state is being done traditionally, hence to make areca nut cultivation commercial the scientific package of practices in local dialect should be made available to the growers.